The Assessment of

Management Effectiveness

of Marine Protected Areas in

Kenya

Nyawira Muthiga

Wildlife Conservation Society

nmuthiga@wcs.org

Why evaluate effectiveness?

Managing an MPA is a

continuous, iterative,

adaptive and participatory

process

There are a set of tasks that

must be carried out to achieve

set objectives

Management effectiveness

- degree to which a MPA is meeting its objectives

- an assessment documents how management influences success

Malindi MNP

Watamu MNP

Mombasa MNP

Kisite MNP

Site name Designation Size-km2 YearKiunga MnaR,

UNESCO

Biosphere

Reserve

600 1980

Malindi MNP 6.3 1968

Malindi-Watamu

Biosphere reserve

UNESCO

Biosphere

Reserve

177 1968

Watamu MNP 32 1968

Mombasa MNP 10 1986

Mombasa MNaR 200 1986

Diani MNaR 75 1993

Kisite MNP 28 1978

Mpunguti MNaR 11 1978

Marine Protected Areas of Kenya under

differing management regimes

MNP- Marine National Park

MS- Marine Sanctuary

MNaR- Marine National Reserve

Mombasa MNaR

Diani MNaR

Kiunga MNaR

Malindi -Watamu MNaR

Mpunguti MNaR

MPA establishment• Design: What is the context in which the MPA exists, and what is its vision?

How appropriate is the planning?

• Management systems and processes: What inputs are needed? What is the

management process?

• Delivery of objectives: What are the outputs/products? What are the

outcomes/impacts?

MPA objectives• Preservation and conservation of marine biodiversity

• Sustainable use of marine resources for cultural and

economic benefits (fisheries, tourism, recreation)

• Awareness and education

• Management oriented research

Mombasa MPA objective (Weru et al. 2001)

1. To protect a representative sample of the coral reef, mangrove and seagrass ecosystem

2. To restore and rehabilitate damaged marine ecosystems

3. To ensure that activities within the MPAs are controlled and conform to the

management regulations for ecological sustainability

4. To enable stakeholders to participate in a wide range of eco-friendly recreational

activities

5. To implement zoning as a management tool in order to eliminate conflicts between user

6. To enhance and encourage management oriented research for optimum resource use and

to ensure information flow to stakeholders to allow better understanding of management

decisions

7. To provide an information base for education and awareness programmes for local

communities

Regional Assessment Initiative

Regional Workbook based on WCPA/METF methodology

Tested in 3 countries

• Kenya: Kiunga MNR, Malindi MNP/MNR, Watamu MNP/MNR, Mombasa MNP/MNR, Kisite/Mpunguti MNP/MNR

• Tanzania: Mafia I. MP, Mnazi Bay-Ruvuma Estuary MP

• Seychelles: Cousin I. Special Reserve

Selection criteria

• Established MPA

• Management in place

• Management plan

Assessment Process

Emphasis on self-assessment with participation of stakeholders

Establish implementation teams

•Final revision by team

•Compilation of MEA Reports

Review by staff and stakeholders

Consultative workshops

ME WorksheetsAssessment

component

Worksheets

Context Management targets

Current threats

Potential threats

Review of National context

Assessment of stakeholder engagement

Planning List of planning documents

Adequacy of management plans (others)

Adequacy of design of MPA

Inputs Assessment of resources (inputs)

Resources summary

Process Assessment of management process

Assessment of capacity

Outputs Assessment Management plan implementation

Management plan implementation summary

Outcomes Assessment of biodiversity objectives

Assessment of Socio-economic objectives

Ranking of current threats

Sample WorksheetReview of National Context

Criteria Strengths Weaknesses

MPA site & p rotected area

legislation

C o n s e r v a t i o n within

broader government policy

International conservation

conventions & treaties

Government support for

MPA

National protected area

agency & MPA site

Types of information available• Literature search, compiled an annotated bibliography

about ~ 260 publications including journal articles, student theses, reports etc (Muthiga and Kawaka 2007)

• Ecological information from monitoring programs (CRCP, CORDIO, KWS)

• Socio-economic information (numbers of fishers, boat operators etc)

• Information on turtle nesting/mortality (KESCOM)

• Administrative information (staff, revenue, budgets

• Occurrence book information and reports

• Visitor statistics

Coral Cover

Acanthuridae

0

100

200

300

400

500

1988 1992 1994 1996 1999 2001

Bio

mas

s, k

g/h

a

Old protected Newly protected Unprotected

Balistidae

0

20

40

60

80

100

1988 1992 1994 1996 1999 2001

Chaetodontidae

0

10

20

30

Bio

ma

ss, k

g/h

a

Labridae

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

1988 1992 1994 1996 1999 2001

Time, years

Bio

mas

s, k

g/h

a

Scaridae

0

100

200

300

400

Total

0200400600800

100012001400160018002000

1988 1992 1994 1996 1999 2001

Time, years

CRCP annual monitoring

Finfish Biomass

Sea urchin biomass

Biological/ecological indicators of reef health

Coral Reef HealthCoral cover

Socio-economic indicatorsTable 1. Socio-economic information on various aspects of the Mombasa marine park and

reserve as well as communities utilizing the MPA

INDICATOR FACTOR COMMENT

Population 207,862

(Kisauni division)

Kisauni division is 32% of the population of

Mombasa district and 8.3% of the population of

Coast province (Central Bureau of Statistics 2003).

Population density 1650/km2

The MPA straddles Kisauni and Bamburi locations

of Kisauni division with a density of 1087 and 3150

persons/km2

respectively. Mombasa district has a

density of 2896 persons/km2

No of hotels 25 The number of hotels increased from 5 with less

than 1000 beds in 1971 to 25 with 7000 beds by 1993

(UNEP/FAO/ICDA, 2000).

No of persons

employed in tourism

sector

153,000 This number includes persons employed in small-

scale tourism sectors. An estimated 13,000 persons

are employed in the hotels (CDA 1996)

No of fishermen and

CPUE

- Kenyatta

- Nyali

- Marina

45(2.5)

40(1.5)

50(1.5)

Fishers that land their catch at the Jomo Kenyatta

landing site use mainly traps, gillnets, and hook and

line. Fishers at Nyali and Marina use beach seines

recently banned in Kenya (CRCP unpublished

data).

No of hotel based

boats

25 – 30 This number fluctuates increasing to 30 during the

high season (KWS per com)

Number of

community boats

15 - 20 This number fluctuates depending on the season

peaking between Nov and Jan (KWS reports)

No of visitors to the

MPA

~ 10,000 Residents

~ 30,000 Non-

residents

The number of visitors was impacted by two main

events; 1) BMP caused an increase by ~ 65% 2)

Likoni clashes caused a reduction by an additional

~ 25% (Muthiga 1998).

Revenue to MPA $50,000 The revenue was negatively impacted by the Likoni

ethnic clashes in 1997 decreasing by more than 50%

Community projects - Rehabilitation of

Jomo Kenyatta

beach

- Infrastructure

for fishers and

boat operators

- moorings

- this beach receives ~ 3000 local residents per

weekend

- this consists of a building housing the offices of the

Mombasa boat operators and fisher associations as

well facilities for processing fish (CDA 1996)

- moorings and a code of conduct were installed for

use by all boats in the MPA (Muthiga 1998)

Governance Indicators

•Legislation and Wildlife Policy

•Management plans and structures

•Draft MPA regulations

•Management staff

•Infrastructure

•MOUs

Malindi MPA

Compliance information

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Kisite Malindi Mombasa Shimba Watamu

Visitor statistics

Table 6. Management strategies of the MPAs

STRATEGY ACTIVITY COMMENTS

1. Enforcement of

MPA regulations

- Daily patrols to enforce

regulations i.e. no fishing in

park, restricted fishing in

reserve use of moorings,

- Within the park this is fairly effective

mainly due to the willingness of users to

comply as they perceive the benefits

- Within the reserve not effective as beach

seining continues. Occasional poaching

in park

2. Collection of

Revenue

- Collection from several entry

points sometimes based at a

beach hotel

- Time consuming and expensive.

3. Mooring buoys - mooring were installed at

snorkel and dive sites

including a code of conduct

for boats

- Fairly effective because user group

understands benefits

- Maintenance and repair a problem

- The code of conduct is mostly effective

4. Beach Management

program

- Patrol of beaches t o ensure

security

- Cleaning of the beach

- Revenue collected by hotels

based on number of tourists at

$US 0.5/bed night

- Very effective a t the beginning however

after the ethnic clashes of 1998 tourism

almost collapsed in Kenya and hotels

were reluctant to pay dues.

- No legal framework was developed

- Little government support

5. Research and

Monitoring

- Annual monitoring by CRCP

and KWS

- monitoring of visitor

statistic, water quality

assessment and turtle

nesting and mortality

(KESCOM)

- other research by KMFRI

universities and projects

- This has been a very successful

partnership, many research publications of

the area now exit

- local and international scientists and

students use the park

- Effective although information not

always readily available for

management

- Collaboration reduces management

costs

6. Community

initiatives

- Community projects include

training in mooring use,

refurbishment of boats and

provision of safety equipment

- Effective in assisting communities gain

benefits from tourism ventures in the

MPA

7. Integrated Coastal

Zone Area

Management

- Formation of ICAM

secretariat and participation in

ICAM activities

- Fisheries, boat operators and

mooring demo projects

- Shows the benefits of working in an

integrated way

- reduced destruction of reefs

8. Management Plan

development and

implementation

- Stakeholder consultation

leading to drafting of

management plans.

- slowly being implemented

- Key features include MPA regulations,

formation of an Advisory committee and

training

9. Awareness and

Education

- regular activities include

Marine Environment Day,

International Coastal Clean-up

and tours of Schools Groups

- especially effective in raising awareness

in schools

Management strategies

Education and Awareness

Malindi resource center

1. Awareness programs

2. Environment days

3. Coastal clean-ups

4. Training of staff

Summary MPAs• Each MPA compiled a

report (50 - 100 pg)

• Marine parks making progress towards meeting objectives (biodiversity protection)

• Marine reserves not meeting their objective of sustainable fisheries

• Revision of management plans needed (2004)

• Research and monitoring activities should be better linked to management

• Training and awareness activities better linked to management

Lessons learned about the

process of MEA1. Difficulty understanding the concept of ME

assessment

• Required extensive training and technical support

• Matatu concept

Does your MPA look like this? Or this !

Cartoon: M. Richmond

Lessons learned

2. Methodology too complex for some sites

(requires computer skills and ability to

analyse information)

• Workbook revision should include

questionnaire for use at sites with less

capacity and academic training

Lessons learned

3. Stakeholder participation is essential:

• MPA staff tend to rate progress too highly; stakeholders provide an objective view;

• Assessment provides good opportunity to build relationships with stakeholders –first time stakeholders were involved during an assessment of management

Lessons learned

4. Assessments cost time and money but this need not be excessive:

• Each MPA had $2500-3000; assessment period was c. 6 months;

• In-kind support provided by each MPA

• Mainstreaming of assessments in management cycle should be possible (e.g. as part of review process for management plans)

General Conclusions• Assessments were useful – MPA staff increased

knowledge of their MPAs and links with stakeholders

• MPA managers were also able to increase their skills in MEA

• Baseline assessments now available for each MPA

• Annotated bibliography in print (Muthiga & Kawaka 2007)

• Revised Workbook now available (Mangubhai and Wells 2003)

• Scientific information is available: accessibility issue

• A strong national co-coordinating agency facilitates assessment (e.g. KWS)

• Both this method and the WCPA-Marine approach are useful and complementary – develop better links between the two

Additional ObservationsInstitutional Issues

1. Organizational structure: coast region as a seascape

2. Wildlife Policy: marine and coastal issues

3. MPA plans (measurable management targets) and regulations specific to MPAs

4. Retention of skills

5. Conflict resolution

External issues

1. El nino and Coral bleaching and mortality

2. Economic instability and reliance on tourism: 9/11 and Likoni clashes effects on visitor numbers

Management of information

– Better storage and management

– Annotated bibliography

Publications

• Wells S (2004) Assessment of management effectiveness in selected Marine

Protected Areas in the Western Indian Ocean. Final report. IUCN Eastern Africa

Programme. 29 pp

• Muthiga, NA (2006) Assessing the effectiveness of management of marine

protected areas in Kenya: Experiences from the Mombasa marine park and

reserve. Proc 10th Int Coral Reef Symp 1231-1242

• Wells S, Burgess N, Ngusaru A (2007) Towards the 2012 marine protected area

targets in Eastern Africa. Ocean & Coastal Management. 50 (1-2):67-83

Acknowledgements

• IUCN Jakarta Mandate project

• UNEP/ICRAN

• NORAD

• CZMC Netherlands

• Wardens of all MPAs

• Implementation teams

• Kenya Wildlife Service

• Coral Reef Conservation Project

• Stakeholders of MPAs

• Sue Wells

Asante sana